Local & General.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6183, 10 March 1888, Page 3

Local & General.

— w — Christ's College Bifles. — The fourth of the class matches in connection with this company was fired on Thursday morning, the torrents of rain rendering the shooting anything but pleasant. The following are some of the highest scores : — Lieutenant Hanmer, 49; Colour- Sergeant Smith, 46 : Private E. Blakiston, 39 • Private Cox, 38. Accident. — A man named John M'llraith was admitted to the Christchurch Hospital last evening suffering from a fracture of the left leg. He was mustering sheep on the Highfield Station, Amuri, on Wednesday, when his horse fell on the limb, breaking it. It is probable that when the swelling is reduced the limb will be set satisfactorily. Waimate District High School. — At a meeting of the Waimate District High School Committee, sitting in conjunction with the High School Board of Governors, Mr J. E. Vernon, M.A., B.Sc, wa3 selected from thirteen applicants for the position of second extra master in the school. Mr Vernon has only been a few months in the Colony, but brings very high testimonials from Edinburgh University professors. He has acted as locum tenens for the past six weeks in the school, and the members present were unanimous in recommending him for the appointment. Miss Sherwin's Concerts. — A Dunedin correspondent telegraphs : — The AmySherwin season at the Princess Theatre has been a phenomenal success so far, and bids fair to continue so, as the reserved seats are being booked in advance to an astonishing degree. Before 12 o'clock to-day, every seat in the dress-circle was booked, and at half-past seven the house was packed to its utmost capacity. The manager has decided to continue the season until Tuesday, further continuation being impossible, owing to prior engagements. Miss Sherwin is cheered nightly on leaving and returning to her hotel by crowds eager to catch a glimpse of the Nightingale. Akaroa Items. — Our correspondent telegraphs: — Some of the officers of the Calliope came ashore yesterday afternoon, and amused themselves with riding, troutfishing, &c. His Worship the Mayor, accompanied by our member, visited the vessel, as did many others. She left early this morning. — The Hawea' called in last night for a large quantity of grass-seed. One of her passengers walked off the jetty at the wrong place, completely extinguishing, though not losing, his pipe. He was easily pulled up on the wharf.— Eain is much wanted here, tbe recent showers having been inappreciable. The small quantity of grass-seed out is of no value compared with. winter feed.

' x^-?__? : r t^ ,!__7 lsslS! _____ w ''—_? Amberley.— It is the intention of those who take an interest in horse-racing at Amberley to make an effort to resuscitate the pleasant race meetings held annually at the township a few years ago. A meeting is to be convened for an early date to discuss the matter. Society fob the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. — A meeting of the Co-uu-ittee o€ this Society was held yesterday afternoon in the City Council Chambers; present — His Worship the Mayor (in the chair), and Messrs W. R. Mitchell, J. W. Fereday, and Shaw. The Inspector's report was read and received. This concluded the business. Protection Association. — Mr D. Bellhouse, Secretary to the Protection Association, who is about to attend the Conference, at Wellington, of delegates from the Protection and Industrial Associations throughout the Colony, is desirous of receiving from those interested replies to the questions — " What protection you consider necessary, and whether the raw material you use is or can be manufactured inthe Colony, and, if not, is it subject to a duty?" A New Christchurch Company. — The prospectus of the "ChriatcUurch Biscuit Company " has just been issued. It shows an influential provisional directorate. The Company has been formed for the purchase of the business now carried on by the Timaru Milling Company, whose equity of redemption of their freehold and plant and machinery are to be purchased for -81000. The proposed capital of the uew Compauy is _23000 in £1 shares. Application for shares must be made to Mr H. Andrews, the Secretary, pro .cut., before March 15, as the bulk of them have already b.en applied for. New Sheep Brand.— Yesterday one of our representatives was shown a very useful and ingenious contrivance for branding sheep, sacks, woolpacks, and other such things, known as '* Young's Improved Patent Self-feeding Sheep Brand/ It has been patented by Mr Henry C. Young, of Wellington, and farmers will only need to give it a trial to know what a useful and valuable substitute it is for the ordinary methods of branding. A trial was recently held at Wellington with very satisfactory results. The receiver, or can holding the fluid, being air-tight, nothing can epill or escape, and the work is done cleanly and effectually, and very rapidly. Tar or paint can be used with equal success, and the machine needs only a trial to eecure for it a ready sale. North Canterbury Caledonian Society's Sports Ball. — The Committee of the above, thanks to their indefatigable Secretary, Mr W. H. Rhodes, are to be congratulated on tbe success which crowned their efforts in bringing the above to such a successful issue as that of Thursday night. The event took place in the Oddfellows' HaU, Amberley, which was unusually crowded. The catering was all that could be desired, while the reels, strathspeys, <_c, played by the Messrs M'Kay, were the theme of universal admiration. Mr J. Forbes, who has long identified himself with the post of M.C, discharged his duties in the most praiseworthy fashion. As for the ball music, Mr T. Fleming's premier quadrille band had been specially retained for the occasion. Eailway Fire Brigade. — The annual meeting of this Brigade was held on Thursday evening, Foreman Hemsworth in the chair. The half-yearly balancesheet was read and adopted. The following were elected a Committee for the ensuing half-year: — Messrs Hemswortb, Brandoo, Brown, M .Iraith. Stewart, and A. Hoddinott. The Hon Secretary and Treasurer, Mr Norman, was re-elected, and presented with a bonus for his services. Mr Brandon was re-elected Auditor, and Messrs M'llraith and Hemsworth were elected trustees. The loeomotive-cleaner3 were awarded a bonus for giving the alarm during the past year. Mr O'Neal, Deputy-Superintendent, tendered his resignation as a member of the Brigade, after nine years' service. The resignation waa accepted with regret. Jt was resolved — "That a testimonial be presented to Mr O'Neal," and a Sub-Committee was appointed to carry out the affair. A vote of thanks to the Chairman concluded the business. The Coming Game Season. —In the Kaiapoi district the signs 1 of the coming season would seem to point to a scarcity of large bags. Hares may have slightly increased in part., and on the whole, perhaps, have held their own, but certainly they have in some places been greatly thinned. Quail are slightly on the increase, but are scarce, whilst pheasants have suffered severely, probably from cats, hawks, poachers, and pot-hunters, and are now comparatively rare. Of native game it is perhaps rather early to speak with certainty, as rough weather towards the end of thiß month may make much difference. Ducks are certainly scarce a. present, but our old friend the pukaki still manages to get a respectable living 1 , especially in the coast swamps. Stil*", curlew, native snipe, and redbill are still to be found on the Forty-mile Beach, but are every year getting more knowing, and are apparently able to judge the range of a chokebore to a nicety. The Woodend lagoons will, this year, be worked by a private Gun Club. On the whole it may be said that he who would make fair records thia year, must work hard over good dogs. Concert and Ball. — The Addington Workshops Brass Band gave their fifth annual concert and ball last evening in the Oddfellows' Hall, where there was a very good attendance. The programme was an excellent one, the Band, under Bandmaster Pooley, contributing two overtures, both played with, much taste. Mr Pooley gave a cornet solo very skilfully, and Mr Skelton a violin solo with his usual nice execution. Mr Edwards' glee party contributed several part songs, which were well received 3 and Messra Broome, Pooley, and Soper were encored for the old trio, " Dame Durden." Mr J. Carr danced a capital sailor's hornpipe. Songs were nicely rendered by Miss Scott, Miss Hancock, and Misa Hill, and Messr3 Haig, j Bead, Woodward, and Broome, and Mr I Price gave a number of his raciest comic ditties. Of course, encores were the rule, '■ and the concert was protracted, greatly to the annoyance of the young folk, who wore anxious to begin dancing. Mr D. Brockett made a most satisfactory accompanist to most of the songs. When the hall had been cleared, Mr D. Eound, M.C, very soon arranged for the dancing, which was kept up with great spirit for some hours. Knights of Labour. — The general meeting was held at St John's schoolroom on Thursday, the President in the chair. The Chairman informed the meeting that, not having succeeded in getting the use of the hall in Worcester street, he had concluded arrangements for St John's Schoolroom, and congratulated the members in having so good and central a place for their future meetings. Letters from Mr March and Mr M. J. Scobie Mackenzie were read and received. It was resolved that tbe Secretary write a draft reply to Mr Mackenzie, and submit to a Committee by next general meeting. The President was authorised to endeavour to get permission from the Churchwardens to put up anotice board stating the day and time of future meetings. A Committee was appointed to wait on the members of Parliament of the Canterbury Provincial District re the employment of prison labour on the defence works whibt so many men were unable to get employment. Mr James Metcalf waß elected a member, and afterpayment of contributions the meeting closed. It has since been arranged for a deputation to meet the Minister of Public Works on the question of prison labour. Mr Perceval, M.H.E., will introduce them. Bishop Grimes at Geraldine. — Thursday last was quite a red letter day amongst the Catholics of the Geraldine district, being the day on which they welcomed the first Roman Catholic Bishop of Christchurch amongst them on his visit to that portion of his diocese. Many members of the Catholic persuasion met His Lordship at the Orari railway station, where a carriage (which had been kindly placed at the disposal of the Eeception Committee by Mr W. Postlethwaite) was in waiting to convey the distiuquishod visitor to Geraldine. Accompanying His Lordship waa the Eev Father Foley, of Timaru, Eav Father Fauvel. of Temuka, and the £a-p£

her . Bowers, of Geraldine. Shortly ] after arrivingat the Presbytery, the clerical party proceeded through the grounds to J the church, where a large congregation had assembled. A congratulatory address to the Bishop was read by lir J. P. Kal-ughor, on behalf of the Catholics of Geraldine, to which His Lordship made a suitable reply, at some length. Having gone through the requisite formula in connection with the visitation, His Lordship gave tho Papal Benediction, after which the congregation dispersed. Bishop Grimes will leave Geraldine for Ashburton to-day. Mcmnted Eillaa v. Richmond Bines. — Tliis match, which- was to have been fired to-doy, hux bean niiavoiaably postponed uutil i.at'ur-.-y, March IV.